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GPD: Drunken bicyclist arrested after fleeing while making siren noise

By Maru I. OpabolaStaff writer

Published: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at 9:28 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at 9:39 a.m.

A bicyclist who witnesses said was drunk and repeatedly falling off his bike into traffic was arrested on multiple charges after an officer confronted him and he fled on the bike while making a siren noise with his mouth.

Gainesville Police Department Officer Michael Cavett spotted 57-year old Scott R. Morse of Gainesville as Morse was traveling east on the north side of Archer Road near Butler Plaza. Morse was arguing with bystanders and fell off his bicycle while Cavett watched.

The officer tried to stop Morse using his car lights and siren, but when he exited his police car, Morse mounted his bicycle, made his own siren noise and fled east into westbound traffic.

Cavett gave chase as Morse sprinted north on Southwest 34th Street, with the officer eventually intercepting Morse in the 3400 block of Windmeadows Boulevard. Cavett exited his vehicle and tackled Morse as he turned onto the grass median, according to a statement released by police spokesman Officer Ben Tobias.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Bryon Carroll, a former GPD officer was driving down Archer Road when he saw police lights flashing up ahead. As he got closer he observed Morse fighting with Cavett and immediately activated his own lights and jumped out to help. Together the two officers handcuffed Morse as he resisted and threw punches at Cavett and Carroll, police reported.

“I just did what any offer would do,” Carroll said Tuesday in a phone interview. “I saw the guy fighting an officer and jumped in to help.”

Morse had a baggie of marijuana in his pocket and a marijuana pipe in a cup on his bike, police said. At one point Morse screamed “I surrender!” before intentionally slamming his head into the patrol car, police reported, and was “Ripp Hobbled” by the officers -- a restraining technique used to transport violent offenders.

Morse was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer with and without violence, and fleeing and eluding police. He was booked into the Alachua County jail, where he remained Tuesday without bond.

<p>A bicyclist who witnesses said was drunk and repeatedly falling off his bike into traffic was arrested on multiple charges after an officer confronted him and he fled on the bike while making a siren noise with his mouth.</p><p>Gainesville Police Department Officer Michael Cavett spotted 57-year old Scott R. Morse of Gainesville as Morse was traveling east on the north side of Archer Road near Butler Plaza. Morse was arguing with bystanders and fell off his bicycle while Cavett watched.</p><p>The officer tried to stop Morse using his car lights and siren, but when he exited his police car, Morse mounted his bicycle, made his own siren noise and fled east into westbound traffic. </p><p>Cavett gave chase as Morse sprinted north on Southwest 34th Street, with the officer eventually intercepting Morse in the 3400 block of Windmeadows Boulevard. Cavett exited his vehicle and tackled Morse as he turned onto the grass median, according to a statement released by police spokesman Officer Ben Tobias.</p><p>Deputy U.S. Marshal Bryon Carroll, a former GPD officer was driving down Archer Road when he saw police lights flashing up ahead. As he got closer he observed Morse fighting with Cavett and immediately activated his own lights and jumped out to help. Together the two officers handcuffed Morse as he resisted and threw punches at Cavett and Carroll, police reported.</p><p>“I just did what any offer would do,” Carroll said Tuesday in a phone interview. “I saw the guy fighting an officer and jumped in to help.”</p><p>Morse had a baggie of marijuana in his pocket and a marijuana pipe in a cup on his bike, police said. At one point Morse screamed “I surrender!” before intentionally slamming his head into the patrol car, police reported, and was “Ripp Hobbled” by the officers -- a restraining technique used to transport violent offenders.</p><p>Morse was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer with and without violence, and fleeing and eluding police. He was booked into the Alachua County jail, where he remained Tuesday without bond.</p>